Kulbergs holds closed-door talks with his newly elected MPs

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs will meet the 41 newly elected MPs from his United List coalition outside Riga on Monday to discuss planned changes and government formation, LSM reported. The meeting’s location has not been disclosed.

Kulbergs wants to secure his own MPs’ support and involve them in carrying out his plan before holding talks with the other 15 political groups elected to the Saeima. He has said the plan is effectively ready.

The meeting was initially listed as taking place at the Saeima, but Kulbergs’ communications adviser, Elīna Šverna, told Latvian Radio on Monday that it would be held outside Riga. The talks could continue until evening, and no detailed comment was expected that day. Kulbergs is due to discuss the plan after a coalition cooperation meeting on Tuesday.

Political scientist Juris Rozenvalds said the United List may not be as united as its name suggests. The alliance comprises the Latvian Association of Regions, the Latvian Green Party, the Liepāja Party and the association Latvijas restarts, which Uldis Pīlēns initially founded as the United Latvian List to attract non-party professionals.

Rozenvalds said there may be uncertainty within the alliance about how to respond to Kulbergs’ proposals, as well as disagreements over the planned changes, government formation and the division of posts. Kulbergs has said there is no need to rush the formation of a government. The coalition must also agree on who will lead its Saeima faction.